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Benefits of SDN for CSPs

SDN provides for separation of the control and data plane where the intelligence of the network (e.g. switch or router) is split from the packet forwarding engine. This separation provides opportunities to program the network at various points (i.e. Layers 1-3). For example, a number of optical network vendors (including Ciena, BTI Systems, Infinera and Cyan) leverage SDN to improve the programmability and operations of their optical network gear.

SDN and NFV investments

The combined advantages of SDN and NFV are the driving force behind the transformation the networking industry. The advantage of agile software running on COTS is already making significant inroads on the traditional custom-designed network equipment. SDN and NFV have already attracted significant investments, including the following:

SDN and NFV initiatives from many of the largest networking equipment incumbents -- including Ericsson, Cisco, Huawei, Alcatel-Lucent and Juniper Networks.

NFV programs from the leading IT suppliers, including HP, Dell, Intel/Wind River, Oracle and Red Hat.

Future SDN/NFV Outlook

Leading CSPs having implemented pilot projects with SDN and NFV software running on COTS hardware. These investments in network software will continue to expand as SDN and NFV deployments prove their value in terms of new revenue and cost savings.

SDN and NFV will need to coexist with traditional switches, routers and optical equipment that use custom silicon to deliver ultra-high performance throughput (packet processing and forwarding). The networks of the future will see hybrid designs of specialized hardware combined with more and more SDN and NFV elements.

Over the next few years, large service providers will explore and start to implement a range of SDN and NFV technologies on COTS platforms comprising a wide variety of use cases. Within five years, SDN/NFV will be the mainstream option for service providers deploying cloud and network architectures.

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